Balanced valve.



D. A. ALEXANDER.

BALANCED VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY23.19`11.

1 ,27 8,804. Patented July 30, 191@r 4 SHEETS-SHEET 2- D.'A. ALEXANDER.

BALANCED VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY Z3. 19H.

Patented July 30, 1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Ym @w fmII/4M i. .r1 l -..4 NH. QQ m TINTIN KL am: (wm.

D. A. ALEXANDER. BAL/mean VALVE,

APPLICATION FILED MAY Z3. 1911.

Patented July 30, 1918..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Ano/MW' creased.

PATENT oEEioE.

DAVID A. ALEXANDER, OIE' ROQHESTER, NEW-YDRK.

:BALANGEIJl VALVE.

applicati@ inea may 23, 1917. serial No. 170,536.

I To all 'whom zt may concern:

.Be vit known that I, DAVID A. ALEXAN- DER, a citizen of the United' States of America, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Balanced Valve, of which the following is a' specification.

. My invention, while relating to automatically operable valvesin general, has more especial reference to dry pipe valves' for automatic sprinkler systems.

Heretofore, dry pipe systems have not been recommended for sprinkler work when a wet system could be used for the reason that in order to hold the valve closed the air in the system had to be maintained at a considerably high pressure, and this has been objectionable because tooxlong an interval of time is necessitated for expelling the air and filling the system with water.

Furthermore, dry pipe valves have required considerable attention as they haveinvolved mechanical features liable to derangenient with the consequent interruption of automatic service, and have been subject to false tripping when the Water pressure from'the source of supply has been suddenly in- In the accomplishment of my invention these objectionablel features have been overcome by providing the so-called balanced valve which is not only extremely simple in construction but requires but av minimum air pressure to be maintained in the system, and this can remain constant for anv and all pressures of the water supply.

The main object, then, of the present invention is to provide a dry pipe valve so constructed and operable as to reduce to a 0 minimum the required air pressure for keeping the valve closed, thereby greatly improving dry pipe systems by making them more quickly responsive in time of fire, for the less air there is to be expelled from the pipes the sooner will water reach the open'\ sprinkler' heads. ,Y

Another object is'tif'miake use of a Water column,- or static head, as a positive means for opening the valve when the air pressure has been released. i

Another object` is to provide resilient seats for the valve plates,\or closing mem` bers, which prevent leakage by' coinpenS'at-.ll

ing for any possible inaccuracies in construction or adjustment.

Another object is4 to provide a cushioning means whereby the valve when opening will do so without jarring the parts and with little noise.

A further object is to provide a valve having few movable parts that is simple, durable and inexpensive in construction, easy of inspection and adjustment, not liable to false tripping and having a straight and unobstructed waterway. y

'A still further object is to so construct a valve of the character described that it may, if desired, be used as an alarm valve in a wet system. l

While I have shown a valve especially adapted `for use in dry pipe automatic sprinkler systems, the invention is not limited'to valves ot this particular character but the principle thereof,-that is, the balance feature,-may be employed in valves for various other purposes. For instance, by a reversal of the valve plates relatively to the partition plate and by a slight modification of thc body the valve may be used in a sprinkler system wherein a vacuum is maintained, and such a modiication is shown in the drawings. f-

The inventionv ill irst be described and will then be partirularly delined in the ap` pended claims.-

Reference is made to the accompanying vdrawings forming a part of this specification, and in which* Figure 1 is an vnlargedvertlcal -sectional view taken on thi-v line 1-1 of Fig. 4 oil. a

valve constructed in accordance with y.my

invention; Fig. 2, a sectional detail. showing a modification of the cushioning means from that seen inFig, 1; Figs'. 3 and 4, side andv end elevations, respectively,"of the valve; Fig. 5, 'a sectional detail taken on the line 5-5 of: Fig. 6 with. the bearingv Specification of Letters Patent. i Patented July 30, 1918.

blocks shown in full; Fig. -6, an 'enlarged .l .i

sectional view similar to Fig. l of the; partition plate and portions of the valve body but with the operating parts'shown in full; Fig. 7, a sectional view takenl on .the line 7-7 of Fig. i6; Fig. 8, a'plan view 'from the under side fof the right hand valve plate, with respect to 'Figsl 'and 6, and `showlng a portion of the' connectingarm and thejpap.

' ed to reeelvv t-ition plate; Fig. 9, a sectional view similar to lEig. 7 but showing a modified form oi' valve plate and seat therefor; and, Fig. 10. a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 ot' a modification of the valve as will l1 exolained, the valve plates and connecting arm being shown in full lines. ln Figs. 1 and 10 the movable parts are shown in dotted lines for the open position of the valves Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring first to. Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive.

The valve. easing or body is iorn'ied7 preferably, of two substantially similar castings l. and il, the part. 1 having an inlet 3 for connection to the water supply pipe 4 and the part- 2 an outlet for the connection to the main pipe 6 of a sprinkler system. `ln the side walls ot' the easing ire hand-holes 7 which give access to all interior parts of the valve and are provided with suitable cover plates 8. The body members have out-- wardly extending lianges i), through which holts 10 extend and secure such members to the opposite sides of a partition plato 11. This plate divides the interior of the casing into a water chamber 12 and an air chamber 13 which, when the valve open, have communication through a cylindrical opening 14 in direct line with the inlet 3 and outlet 5. At. lis a threaded opening in the valve body to receive a pipe 16 in which is located a testI valve to determine the vigor of the water supply, Likewise, 17 is a threaded opening in the valve body just above the priming water level w-w to receive a pipe 18 in which is located a valve for determining that there is no water in the system above such level and, also, for emptying the entire system of sprinklers and piping; while at 19 is a threaded opening in the valve body just below the priming water level to receive a pi .e 2O in which is located a valve for determining whether the priming water is up to its required level. The three valves just above mentioned as being located in the pipes 16, 18, and 20 are not shown in the drawings.

Projecting downward from the partition plate 11 are bearing blocks 21 having threaded openings therethrough for receiving studs 22, such studs being held in proper position of lateral adjustment by lock nuts :ll and having their inner ends tapered to engage in correspondingly tapeed openings in opposite sides el the upright center poi tion 2l. of the thus pivotafly pported emmerting arm fhe hodv portions oli the bearing blocks are preferably square and are held against rotation by engaging in recesses in the partition platre. 11, while their upper ends are turned down to engage through openings therefor in pwirtition plate and threadthe'nuts Q6 ior securely holding them in ce.l Threaded into the opposite ends of the arm are upwardly ei:- tending studs 2T held in proper position of adjustment by lock nuts 2S, and these studs are provided with heads Q9 curved on their under sides.

Overhanging the opening 1l is a llat metal ring 3() secured by screws, as in Fig. i', or otherwise to the upper 'face ol the partition plate 11; and secured to the under face of the partition, with its inner diameter less than that oll the ring 30, is a similar ring 31. rlhe inner edges of these rings are llanged and together form a resilient seat for the downwardly closing member 32 or valve plate, as it will be hereinafter called. This valve plate comprises a disk 33 seated on the ring` 3() and a clamping plate 3l ot' slightly less diameter bolted to the under tace` ol" the disk and seated on the ring B1. The member ill has a central opening for receiving the lett hand lstud 27 and is counter sunk to permit a relative universal movement ot the head 29.

ln the under tace of the partition plate is va circular recess forming a chamber 35 open to the atnufsphere,y while secured lto the partition and ovm-hanging such recess is a tial' metal ring 36 having its'inner edge flanged and forming a resilient seat for the upwardly closing Valve plate 37. T his plate comprises a disk 38 to the under side of which is bolted a clamping plate 34 having a central opening for receiving the right hand stud 2T and counter sunk to permit a relative universal movement oi' the head 2th lt will he understood that the valve plates 32 and 37 may be secured to the ends of the connectingarm 25 by any form otl universal connection7 although I prefer to make use ot' that such as just above described. The coil springs 3f), as shown housed in the valve plates and 37 and in the heads ol the studs '27, hold the valve plates from Vt'reedom of play on the studs and against their respective seats when the valve is being set.

Any leakage around the valve plate 32 will be carried ott through the duct l0 in the partition plate ll and communicating with the drain pipe l1, while any leakage around the valve plate 37 into the recess 35 will be carried otf through the duct 1L in the partition plate and comniunicating with the drain pipe 43, suoli drains having connections as will later be descril'aal.

The centers of the valve plates 32 and 37 are equidistant and ou opposite. sides oli the axisot' rotation of the arm Q5 with the plate t'or closing the opening 1l in the partition 11 being seated against. and the plate 37 with the water pressure; and it is preferable that in this modification ot the valve the areas of both plates exposed to the wate` pressure be equal. Thus7 the. plates will he opposed to each other with a eounterbalancing el'iect; for the water pressure, whether high or low, on the plate 32 to open the valve will be equalized by its pressure on the plate 37 to hold the valve closed.

With the valve closing members thus balanced there must necessarily be provided some positive means for automatically open-` ing the valve at the proper time, and I ac. complish this in either of two ways, namely, the valve plate 37 may be enough heavier than the plate 32 that the arm 25 will swing by gravit when the air pressure inthe sys-Y een released, or a water column comprising a static head acting on the plate 37 may be used. The open position for the parts 25, 32 and 37 is seen in Fig. 1, in dotted lines, at 44, 45 and 46, respectively. The air pressure, then, necessary to be maintained in the system need only be high enough to overcome either the tendency of the swinging members to open by gravity or the weight of the water column, or both, should they be used, and I have found five pounds or even less amply sufficient for this purpose. Furthermore the air pressure need not, as required with most valves of this character, be increased as the water pressure is increased but can remain constant and at4 a low pressure for all Water conditions, and the valve will not suffer from the injurious effects of Water hammer. The air pressure of the system is exerted through the medium of the priming water in the chamber 13 directly on the valve plate 32 to hold the valve closed, and there is a slight differential in the areas of the outer and inner surfaces of such plate acted on bythe air and water, respectively, owing to the plate being seated on the upper surface of the partition 11. This difference in areas may be considerable or practically nothing as preferred. It will be understood, however, that the valve is not to be considered as of the differential type but one in which the parts are balanced by the water pressure for the purpose of reduc' ing to a minimum the air pressure of the system, overcoming the injurious eects of water hammer and preventing false vtripping Y When the air pressure in the system has been released through the opening of a sprinkler head, or otherwise, the valve will automatically open, due to the water column resting on the plate 37, and the parts will swing by gravity to open position in which they will remain Without the aid of any sort of latch mechanism until the valve e'is reset. The valve plates 32 and 37 swing clear of and to one side of the waterway, thus leaving the same entirely unobstructed.

With many dry pipe valves there' is a terrific noise and jarring of the parts when the valve trips owing tothe contacting of metal parts by the force of Water suddenly rushing through the valve. \`This is-san obthan that of the opening in the member47.

When the valve opens and the parts have almost reached the position in which they are seen in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the piston 51 entering the member 47 will be arrested in its lmovement by the cushioning eiect of the imprisoned air and water and the swinging parts thus brought to a gradual stop as the air and water in the member 47 escape around the edges of the piston. c

In Fig. 2 there is shown a preferred modiication of the cushioning stop device in which the dash-pot 52, supported on a rod 48, as the member 47, is designed to receive the disk 33 which itself acts as the piston.

Threaded into the partit-ion plate 11 is 'a pipe 41 in communication with the duct 40 and this pipe is connected to a T having connection with piping l53 leading to the` sewer and with piping 54 which, when the valve is open, carries water'that effects a ringing of an electric alarm. Any leakage of Water around the valve plate 32 will be carried through the duct 40, pipe 41 and 'drain-pipe 53 wherein -is located a drip valve 55, but when the valve is open the pressure of water in the piping just described will automatically close the drip valve and all water passing through the duct 40 will be forced through the pipe 54 to eilect a ringing of the alarm as stated.

A pipe 43 is threaded into the partition 11 in communication with the duct 42. This pipe is connected to an upright pipe 56 containing a water column acting on the member 3 7 to open the valve when the air pressure in the systemhas beenireleased and the pipe 56 is broken tovshow that the column may be of any desired height. Near the open end of the pipe 56 is a valve 57 opened only when filling the pipe which may bedone through the funnelS or by having communication with a supply tank, not shown. A lateral 59 having a valve 60 therein, which is closed only when filling the pipe 56, is connectedto the upright pipe intermediate the valve 57 and the desired height of the water column; and this pipe 59 has connection to a drain in which is located a drip valve 61.

members after first being cleanedan justed,-the adjustment of the studs .127 be', 1.811

. sure, both having equal areas acted on by such pressure and being equidistant from the axis ot rotation of the arm 25, they will oppose each other with a counteibalaiicing effect. rl`he water column acting; on the plate 3T will cause the valve to open, however, when the air pressure iii the syst-ein has been released and a preponderance ot' weight 'being in favor of the plate 37 will -cause the arm 25 to rotate by gravity thus effecting a positive opening ol the valve in'- depeiideiit ot the water pressure7 and these features overcome what is necessary in niost dry pipe valves of the valve having 'lo be blown open by water when the air has been released.

Refer now to Figs. l and 6. At G2 is shown a. nlug for closing` the opening through the partition ll into the recess formed in tlie'uiiderside thereof, and

sho'ld it be desired to use the valve as an alarm valve for what is known as the wet system this plug would be removed. in this event the water column would not be used and the area of tho valve plate 32 exposed to the water pressure in the chamber l2 would be made greater than that of the valve plate 37.

In Fig. 9 there is shown a partition plate 63 having a port opening,n (il which is noi mally closed by a valve plate 65 comprising a disk 66 and clamping plate (il bolted thereto. This valve pleite is adapted to have universal connection with an ariii '2" by means of an adjustable stud 2T similar to that bearing like numeral iii Fig'. 7. and suoli stud is proif'idedwith a head 29 seated iii the clamping plate 67 and held against play by a coil spring 39 contained iii a housing formed in the bolt head Q9 and in the disk GG. The valveseat comprises outer and inner circular iiaiiges GS and (39, respectively, projecting upward from the partition 63. the outer one of which is formed on av resilient ring TO secured to the partition and engages the disk 6G. while the inner one is formed on the partition and engages a resilient ring` 7l secured to the disk. Any leakage into the channel between the flanges 68 and 69 would be carried olil through a duct, not shown, but Similar to that shown at 40 in Figs. l and 6.

Refer now to Fig. l0.

In this view there is shown inodilieation of uw present invention adapted. for use iii an automatic sprinkler s vste i having a vacuum in the pipes tliereot' instead of air or water under pressure. v,

The valve casing is siibstanti to that shown in Fig. l and is castings .72 and i3, the part 72 provided Fig. l. opposite sides ot' a partition divides the interior of the easing` into a waalso, an opening aiiording tion between the water chamber chamber.

The vulve plates the openings an, I similar to the valve plat-es `nd spectively, of Figs. l and G. ano hare siinilar universal connection by studs il' to the opposite ends ot an arm 88 iileriifned between tlie tivo valve plates on the under side of the partition in the same manner as the arm vit will be noticed that the valve plate 86 toi' closing,r the openi; 35i between the water chamber and vaoinuii chamber is seated on the reverse side of the parti. in from that of the valve plate in F l and, also7 that the arm will swing in the opposite direction. from that ot the arm The open positions ior the valve plates 8, S? and arm SS are indicated in dotted at 89, :ind 9i, i'espeetii'ely., resilient seat provided for the valve plate 8G simi lar to that for the plate of Fll except that it is presented downward .Head of upward and, likewise. a resilient seat is provided for the valve plate Si' i that for the plate 53T oi Fig. l e.L fL i that i, presented, upward instead et ilcuvnivaiid.

The centers ot tlievalve SG :ii-if. are equidistant troni the axi'kk the ain'i S8 and the areas or" the exposed to the water pressure are v equal7 although a slight pierre made iii favor of the plate 'h preponderance ot weight in valve plate SG to cause the arm gravity when air has' been admi for closing tively9 are swing by to the la tion. Any leakage around the valve plate.

86 would be carried ofi'l through the communicating duct anddrain pipes 4l and Y 53 similar to those shown in and referred'to with regard to Fig. 1, and when the valve is open water through the duct 40 will pass through the pipe 54 and cause a ringing of the alarm.

What I claim is: n

l. A valve of the character described coniprising a casing having two chambers into one of which is the inlet and from the other the outlet of the valve; a partition having a. port opening affording communication between the two chambers and an opening to the (exterior of the casing; valve plates seated on opposite sides of said partition, one

'of said plates closing the said port opening and the other the said opening to the exterior of the casiiig and both being exposed to the water pressure; and a pivotally supported arm connecting said valve plates, whereby they oppose each other with a counterbalancing eHect.

'2. A valve of tl. e character described coniprising a casing having a straight waterway and two chambers into one of which is the inlet and from the other the outlet of the valve; av partition having a port opening alined with the waterway affording cornniunication between the two chambers and an opening to the exterior of the casing; valve plates seated on opposite sides ot said partition, one of' said plates closing the said port opening andthe other the said opening to the exterior of the casing and both being exposed to the water pressure; and a pivotally supported arm connecting said valve plates, whereby they are opposed to each other with Va counterbalancing eliect, and adapted upon rotation to carry the said port closing plate to one side of the waterway.

3. A valve of the character described coniprising a' casing having a straight waterway and two-.chambers into one of which is the inlet and from the other the outlet of the valve; a partition having a port opening alined with the waterway affording com-4 munication between the two chambers and an opening to the exterior of the casing; valve plates seated on opposite sides of said partition, one of said plates closing the said poi t opening and the other the saidpopening to the exterior of the casing and both being exposed to the water pressure; bearing members carried bv said. partition; 1studs adjustable in said bearing members; and a connecting arm for said valve plates pivotally supported on said studs, whereby the plates are opposed to each other with a counterbalancing eil'ect, and adapted upon rotation to carry the said port closing plate to one side of the waterway.

4. A valvrof the character described comprising a ca` ing ,having a straight waterway and two chambers into one of which is the inlet and from theother the outlet of the valve; -a partition having a ort opening alined with the waterway a ording com-V munication between the two chambers and an opening to the exterior of the casing; a downwardly closing valve plate for said port opening seated with the air pressure and against the water pressure; an upwardly closing valve plate for said opening to the exterior of the casing seated with the water pressure; and a pivotally supported arm connecting said plates, whereby theyI are opposed to each other with la counterbalancing f effect', and adapted upon rotation to extend through the said port opening and carry the first named plate to one side of t-he waterway.

5. A valve of the character described coinprising a casing having a straight waterway and two chambers into one of which is the inlet and from the other the outlet of the valve; a partition Yhaving a port opening alined'with the waterway affording com- -munication between the two chambers and an opening tothe exterior ofthe casing; a downwardly closing valve plate for said exterior of the casing seated withV the water pressure, the areas-of said valve plates exposed to the water pressure being equal; and an arm connecting said plates pivotally supported midway between their center, whereby they are opposed to each other with a counterbalancing ei'ect, and adapted upon rotation to extend through the said port opening and carry the first named plate to one side of the waterway. y

6. A valve of the character described' cornprising a casing having a straight waterway and two chambers into one of which is the inlet and from' the other the outlet of the valve; a partition having a port opening alined with the waterway aording coininunication between the two chambers and an opening to the exterior of the casing;

posed to the water pressure being equal; and

an arm connecting said plates pivotally supported midway between their centers.y whereby they are opposed to each other with a counterl'ialancing etiect, and adapted upon rotation to extend through the said port opening and carriv the first, named plate to one side ot theavaterway. a prepondei-ance of weight, i'ieing in tfavor ot the second named plate cansino' the arm to rotate b v gravity when the air pi ssure is released.

7. valve oit the character described comprising a casing having an inlet and an outlet; a partition having a` port opening; valve plates seated on opposite sides of said partition, one ot such plates closing the said opening and b th being exposed to the water pr ire; nie-ans for containing a column of water comprising a static head acting ou the other of said plates to open the valve; 'and a stall;y supported arm connecting said valve plates; .vhercbyv they are opposed to each other with a counterbatancing etect.

S. valve of the character described coinprising a easing having a straight waterway;

a partition having a port opening alined with the waterway; valve plates seated on opposite sides of said partition. one'ot such plates closing the said opening and both beine exposed to the water pressure; a pivotalined with the waterway; valve plates seated on opposite sides of said partition. one ot such plates closingthe said opening and both being exposed to the water pressare; a pivot-ally supported arm connecting said valve plates whereby they are opposed to each other with a counterbalancing effect. and adapted upon rotation to carry the said port e osing plate to onc sident' the waterway; and means for containing a column ot water comprising a static head acting on the other otl said plates to open the valve; a preponderance of weight being in favor of such last named plate causing the arm to rotate by gravity when the valve is opened.

10. A valve ot' the character described comprising a casing having an air chamber and a water chamber; a partition havingr a port opening affording; communication between the two chambers and an opening to the exterior of the casing; valve plates seated on opposite sides of said partition, one of said plates closing the said port opening and the other the said opening to the exterior of the fasing and both being exposed to the water pressure; a pivotally supported arm connecting said valve plates and adapted upon rotation when the air pressure has been released to swing them to open position; a piston carried by said arm; and a member torming a compression chamber within the said air chamber adapted to receive said piston t'or the purpose specified.

1i. A valve otl the character ldescribed comprising a casing haring an air chamber and a water chamber; a partition having a port opening attording comn'iunication between the two chambers and an opening to the exterior of the casing; valve plates seated on opposite sides of said partition, one of' said plates closing the said port opening and the other the said opening to the exterior ot the easing and both being exposed to the water pressure; a pivotally supported arm connecting said valve plates and adapted upon rotation when the air pressure has been released to swing them to open position; a piston carried by said arm; and an adjustably supported member forming a compression chamber within the said air chamber adapted to receive said piston for the purpose speciiied.

12. A valve Ot' the character described comprising a casing having two chambers into one ot' which is the inlet and trom the other the, outlet of the valve; a partition having an opening atfording communication between the two chambers and a'recessed chamber 'formed therein having communication withv the exterior of the casing; a valve plate for closing said opening seated on one' side ot` the partition with the air pressure and against the water pressure; a valve plat-e t'or covering said recessed chamber seated on the opposite side of the partit-ion with the water pressure; and an arm connecting said plates and Jfulcrumed between the two, whereby they are opposed to each other with a counterbalancing effect, said arm adapted to rotate when the air pressure is released, thus unseating said plates and opening the valve. c

13. A valve of the character. described comprising a easing having a straight waterway and two chambers into one ot which is the inlet and from the other the outlet of the valve; a partition having an opening affording communication between the two chambers and a recessed chamber formed therein having communication with the eX- terior ot the casing; a valve plate for clos` ing said opening seated on one side of the partition with the air pressure and against the water pressure.; a valve plate for covering said recessed chamber seated on the opposite side ot the partition with the water pressure; and an arm connecting said plates and fulcrumed between the two; whereby they are opposed to each other with a counterbalancing ettect, said arm adapted to rotate when the air pressure is released to unseat said plates and carry them to one side ofchamber formed therein having communi-l cation with the exterior of the casing; a

valve plate for closing said opening seated on one side of the partition with the airl pressure and against the water pressure; a

valve plate for covering said recessed chamfv ber seated on the opposite side of the partition 'with the Water pressure; and an arm connecting said plates and fulcrumed between the two, whereby they are opposed to each other with a counterbalancing effect, said arm adapted to-rotate when the air pressure is released to unseat said plates and carry them to one side of the waterway.

15. A valve of the character described comprising a casing having a straight waterway and two chambers into one of which is the inlet and from the other the outlet of the valve; a partition having an opening affording communication between the two chambers; a recessed chamber formed therein having communication with the exterior of thel casing; andan opening communieating with said recessed and said outlet chambers; a valve plate for closing said first named opening seated on one side of the partition with the air pressure and Vagainst the water pressure; a valve plate for covering said recessed chamberseated on the opposite side of the partition with the water pressure; an arm connecting said plates and fulcrumed between the two, whereby they are opposed to each other with a counterbalancing effect, said arm adapted to rotatewhen the air pressure is released to unseat said plates and carry them to onek side of the waterway; and a removable member for normally closing the said opening between the recessed and the outlet chambers.

16. In a valve, a partition plate having an f opening therethrough and a recessed cham-' ber formed therein; valve plates seated on opposite'sides of the partitlon, one of such plates closing said opening and the 5other covering said chamber; an arm fulcrumed between the plates and connected thereto; and resilient seats for said valve plates comprising flat rings secured to the partition and extending over the edges of said opening and said chamber.

17. In a valve, a partition having an open-i ing therethrough and a recessed chamber formed therein valve plates resilientlyseated'on` opposite sides of the partition, one of such plates closing said opening and the other covering said chamber; and an arm fulcrumed between the plates and connected thereto.

` 18. In a valve, a partition having an opening therethrough' and a recessed chamber formed therein; valve plates resiliently .seated on opposite sides of the partition, one

of such lplates closing said openingand the other covering said chamber; and an arm fulcrumed between the plates and having universal connection therewith, for the purpose specified.

19. A valve comprising a casing having a water chamber and an air chamber; a partition having a port opening affording comi munication between the two chambe' s and an opening to the exterior of the casing; valve- DAVID A IALEXANDER.

esA 

